Historically this moment has been about gathering and feasting, and lighting fires to celebrate the coming of the light (yes, it starts to get lighter a few days after the 'standstill' of the solstice. If you can't make the gathering in the sea at this time, here are some other ways to mark the Solstice. 1. Make a nature table with pieces of lichen-covered moss, berried holly, ivy, seed heads, pebbles, old man's beard, feathers and whatever else you can find outdoors, then place a white candle(s) among them and light them on this day. 2. It is wonderful to catch the sunrise on the winter solstice, even if it's only from the shoreline or a window - so do it if you can, even if you can't get in the water. As you greet the sun, think about how it will make its lowest arc in the sky today, but how soon it will start to rise higher, lengthen our days and bring spring! 3. Fill a spray bottle with water, 1 tablespook of vodka and 25-30 drops of Christmassy essential oils, then shake it up and spritz it around. Try: frankincense, sweet organse, Douglas fir.